By NancyGail, BLOGCRITICS.ORG

Published 10:00 pm, Monday, March 3, 2014

The soundtrack to the God's Not Dead movie has clear religious overtones. However, enjoying music is a form of art appreciation anyone can take on without being required to have a large degree of faith.

Shane Harper, who also happens to play the lead role in the movie, wrote "Hold You Up," the first song on the soundtrack. It starts out on a plaintive note, with simple vocals as well as guitar. While Harper can sing decently, there is much improvement once background vocals are added. The words themselves are a little shaky, but it is still a catchy tune.

As "Save a Life," which Manic Drive sings, continues through its musical path, it speaks of the conflict between the lead character and the one of a college professor, played by Kevin Sorbo. A synthesizer is a good choice to draw in listeners.

Perhaps the most clear-cut tune out of the entire CD is "God's Not Dead (Like A Lion) (Movie Version)." It sets up the main theme of the movie by offering key dialogue points between Harper and Sorbo. The underlying tempo is a mix between a cold harshness and a reasonable request. Listeners can decide for themselves whether or not they agree with any opinion expressed.

Not every song is a deep and thoughtful tune. In "Arrows," which is sung by Jimmy Needham, listeners may find echoes of Bobby McFerrin. The keyboard is the main instrument.

The artist who simply goes by Tricia sings "What I Know," and she also uses the keyboard as her way to bring her message home to those who want to understand just how the message of the movie is brought across. I have to wonder just how many musicians were told that a keyboard would be required for their particular selection. This seems to be a theme for more than a few songs.

The final song is not really one at all. Rather, it is excerpts out of the original score.

All in all, listeners should find something to like with one of these songs somewhere. If not, it will be by choice rather than a dislike for religion.